In 2018/19 Blind Citizens Australia will be conducting a series of teleconferences around becoming ‘life ready’ – practical discussions around supports and services that are available to you, or things you can do to prepare to live an independent life.

To enable us to gain a better understanding of what independence means to you as someone who is blind or vision impaired, we’d appreciate it if you could take the time to complete a short questionnaire.

BCA recognises that vision can change at any time or occur at any age and therefore we develop skills around becoming an independent person who is blind at different stages of life. Although some of these questions relate particularly to younger people we value feedback from all people, of any age.

If you would like to complete the questionnaire but do not wish to do so over the internet please call the BCA office on 1800 033 660 and a member of staff can complete it over the phone with you.

If you have any questions, please contact Sally Aurisch, NSW / ACT Project Coordinator on sally.aurisch@bca.org.au or on 1800 033 660.

Your responses to the questionnaire are confidential and will be used to support the development of content for upcoming teleconferences and workshops that relate to the Life Ready project.

Australia does not have an identity card. Instead, various documents may be used or required to prove a person’s identity.

There is no consistent standard for verifying identity. For most purposes, an Australian driver’s licence or Australian photo card will suffice; however, for more sophisticated transactions (e.g. applying for a passport or opening a bank account), each institution tends to have its own rules.

Key Pass

The Australia Post Key Pass identity card is an identification card showing your photo, name, address, date of birth and signature. The card is accepted as proof of age for entry into venues throughout Australia which display a sign saying they accept the card as proof of identity. To apply for the card, visit your local Australia Post or download the application form online at:

Australian Capital Territory

ID: Proof of Age Card

To obtain a Proof of Age card the applicant must be 18 years of age or older on the day of application. The application must be made in person at any Canberra Connect Shopfront or the Civic Driver Licence Service and provide original copies of both proof of identity and residency and proof of age.

A photographic driver’s licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to two years)

An Australian birth certificate (not a Commonwealth certificate and not an extract). If the certificate is not in the same name currently used, appropriate linking documentation such as a marriage certificate is required

Australia passport (current or expired up to two years)

Overseas passport (current or expired up to two years)

Australian citizenship certificate or naturalisation certificate

Department of Immigration and Border Protection travel document (valid up to five years after issue)

New South Wales

ID: The NSW Photo ID Card

Issued by Service NSW is a voluntary card for people who do not hold a current NSW driver’s licence. It may be used to help access a number of everyday services such as sending or receiving international mail, opening bank accounts and entering licensed premises. While there is usually an administration fee associated with this card, cards are issued to eligible pensioners free of charge. To find out more about the NSW Photo Card or to obtain an application, visit your nearest Service NSW centre.

Northern Territory

ID: NT Evidence of Age Card

This card is evidence of your age and is available to any Northern Territory resident aged 18 and over. If you change your name or want a new photo you will need to apply for a new card. When changing your name or photo, you must surrender your old card to the motor vehicle registry (MVR) or a police station, and you must provide evidence of name change documents. If you are a concession card holder, you are eligible for a free evidence of age card every five years.

Queensland

Provides proof of age for Queenslanders aged 18 years or older. This is an ideal form of photo identification for people who don’t hold a driver’s licence or passport.

To apply for the card you must:

Be at least 17 years and 11 months of age

Complete the adult proof of age card application (F4772)

Provide evidence of identity

You will need to present 3 original evidence of identity documents:

1 Category A document + 2 Category B documents, or

2 Category A documents + 1 Category B document

Duration: 10 years
Cost: $66.65

South Australia

ID: Proof of Age Card

The Proof of Age card is often used by people with vision impairments as an alternative form of identification to a driver’s license. This can also be used for legal and financial documents. It is used to verify that the person seeking to enter a licensed premises or purchase liquor is over 18 years of age. This card is recognised throughout Australia. To apply for the Proof of Age card:

You will need to provide at least three documents that verify your identity, age, signature and residential address. If you have a photographic learner’s permit or licence you may not need to supply full evidence of identity. A payment is required with the application.

Duration: Does not expire
Cost: $22

Tasmania

ID: Tasmanian Government Personal Information Card

This card is a form of identification that can be used by people of all ages to provide evidence of their identity and age. To apply for a Personal Information Card:

Present your application form together with your original evidence of identity documents in person at a Service Tasmania Shop

Complete and sign the declaration on page 2 of the application form, in the presence of a Service Tasmania Customer Service Officer (or parent / guardian to sign if the applicant is under 18 years of age)

Have your photo taken and pay the application fee

The Personal Information Card application form provides additional information, including the acceptable types identification required to submit your application. Once your application and payment have been lodged at a Service Tasmania shop, you can expect to receive your Personal Information Card within ten business days.

Victoria

ID: Proof of Age Card

The Victorian Proof of Age card is used to verify that the person seeking to enter the licensed premises or purchase liquor is over 18 years of age. This card is recognised throughout Australia. Any person who has reached the age of 17 years and 11 months can apply, however you must wait until you are 18 to use it.

The form can be collected from any VicRoads office or by contacting Victoria Liquor and Gaming on 1300 182 457 and request an application form be mailed to you. Take the completed form and your original proof of identity documents (one from Category A and one from Category B) to someone who has known you for a minimum of 12 months and who is listed on the electoral roll. This person must complete and sign the ‘Referee’s declaration’.

Please note that original documents are required for sighting, photocopies are unacceptable. If you have changed your name (either through marriage or otherwise) you must also provide documents as evidence of this change.

Category A documents:

Full Australian birth certificate

Passport

Naturalisation certificate

Immigration papers

Citizen papers

Category B documents:

Driver’s licence or learner permit

Security card

Credit card or bank passbook

Medicare card

Shooters licence

Student identification card

Duration: Does not expire
Cost: $10

Western Australia

ID: WA Photo Card

A photo card provides anyone aged 16 years or over with a recognised form of personal identity, primarily for use in accessing licensed premises in Western Australia. Find out how to obtain a photo card, or order a replacement. The photo card is a voluntary card to assist people who do not hold a driver’s licence or passport in conveniently proving their identity. It is available to people 16 years and older who normally reside in WA. Cardholders have the option of including their address on the card and can choose to have two cards, one showing their address and one without it.

Photo cards have the same level of security as a driver’s licence and display the following information:

Name

Date of birth

Signature

Address (optional)

A combination of 5 original identity documents must be presented to verify your full name, date of birth and residential address. Further information can be obtained at:

Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) is the united voice of Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

Our mission is to achieve equity and equality by our empowerment, by promoting positive community attitudes, and by striving for high quality and accessible services which meet our needs.

Whether you are blind, have a vision impairment , a family member or friend of a person who is blind or vision impaired, BCA is here to assist you.

We provide information, peer support, individual and systemic advocacy, and consultancy services. Our Branches act as local lobby groups and provide opportunities for social interaction for members.

Explore our site. Learn about us. Listen to SoundAbout for profiles of people who are blind or vision impaired and those working with our community. If you are interested in audio-described TV, cinema and DVD content check out It’s Our Turn. Set your dial and tune in to our weekly radio program New Horizons. For the issues and policies that affect you, plus useful information and tips, turn to the pages of BC News or Parent News.

Minister for Communications, Mitch Fifield continues Australia’s shameful track record of keeping Australians who are blind or vision-impaired waiting to find out when they will have the right to enjoy the full experience of television which sighted viewers take for granted…

Blind Citizens Australia’s latest media release highlights the recent findings of the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority’s enquiry into the CBA’s conduct as they relate to the bank’s failure to prioritise customer privacy, listen to consumer feedback and manage non-financial risk when it comes to the Albert EFTPOS terminal.